Police: Screaming child stops Dunkin' Donuts attempted robbery

OLNEY (WTXF) - Police say a man with a gun walked into a Dunkin' Donuts to rob it, but a small child inside at the time began to scream, causing the gunman to run away before he got any money.

Police released surveillance video from Monday afternoon in Olney, which shows the attempted robbery from several angles.

26-year-old Brenda Garcia thought it would be fun to bring her daughter Brianna to work at Dunkin’ Donuts on North Front Street in Olney on Monday. She wanted the 7-year-old to see what mommy does and Brianna was excited.

"She brought her color books and everything. It was just like a normal day,” said attempted robbery victim Brenda Garcia.

But several hours into Garcia’s shift, a nightmare started to unfold before her eyes with her innocent daughter watching in horror.

Chilling surveillance video shows a man come in and ask Garcia for a bottle of water. Garcia placed it on the counter. The next thing she knew the man had a gun pointing in her direction.

"The next thing I know, I look down, when I look up, I see a gun in my face," said Garcia. "When I seen the gun, I seen my life in seconds, because he pulled the little thing back."

As frightened as Garcia was she was more afraid for her little girl who was standing right there by the counter.

Garcia tried to reassure her daughter that she was okay and told her to just to step back.

Garcia says with that her little girl yelled out.

"So she just started screaming. A scream that beyond, I swear everybody heard her outside, and that's when he looked at her and left.. He just walked out," said Garcia.

The attempted robber was gone. It was over. Everyone was okay, Brianna was trembling, as Garcia ran to comfort her daughter.

"Just ran to her and hugged her and she was shaking, just panic," Garcia explained.

As a mother, Garcia says it breaks her heart that her daughter had to go through such a traumatic experience but believes she believes Brianna saved their lives.

"Her screaming saved everybody because if I would have made any move, he would have shot, he would have just shot me," said Garcia.

Brianna is staying very close to her mom's side since the attempted robbery. The little girl who loves to play on her scooter and is looking forward to first grade and just wants to put it behind her.

The suspect is described as 5’8” tall, with a stocky build. He was wearing a black shirt, blue ripped jeans shorts, black sneakers and armed with the handgun.

If you recognize him or know where he is, you’re asked to call 215-686-TIPS (8477), text a tip to PPDTIP (773847), or click here to submit a tip anonymously. Police say all tips will be confidential.